Robert F. Arehart

Robert F. Arehart, of Philadelphia, PA died Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Pauls Run, 9896 Bustleton Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19115. He was 91 years old. Born in 1926 and raised in Northeast Philadelphia by his parents, Frank and Myrtle, with his sisters Betty and Pat. He attended Frankford High School and graduated in 1944. Upon graduation, with World War II raging on, he enlisted in the Navy and served from 1944 – 1946. Upon discharge, Bob used the GI Bill to enter college and while working through the tough, competitive engineering program at Drexel married his sweet heart since high school Helen W. Kohr in 1948. With Helen working at Curtis Publishing in the daytime and typing his papers at night, Bob was able to graduate from the Drexel University School of Engineering in 1951 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and multiple society honors. He was immediately employed by Philadelphia Electric (PECO – currently Exelon) where he worked for 37 years rising to the position of Supervisory Engineer in charge of the relay protection system. In addition, he was a member of the Engineers Club of Philadelphia and a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania. He was also a member of multiple professional organizations including the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Pennsylvania Electric Association, the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Bob was active and rose to leadership positions in each in of these groups. His favorite role was as the deeply devoted husband to Helen W. Kohr for over 69 years. He expressed his love often and was always supportive in a marriage that was, ahead of its time, a partnership of equals. A love like theirs is rare and enviable and they never took it for granted. Along with being a great husband he was a wonderful dad who led by example for Robert B. (Debbie), Kurt L. (Nancy), and Dawn Cieri (Rudy). He volunteered often in their lives by being a Sunday School teacher, a baseball coach, and a scouting leader. He also modeled fine manhood for all of the grandchildren: Bret (Lisa), Jason (Colleen), Adam (Lynne´), Tyler, Rachel, Coleman, and Olivia. Finally, his influence has gone on through to his 8 great-grandchildren: Alessandra, Melody, Aronne, Alistair, Cristiano, Jude, Cora, and Jonah. Bob was a man of Christian faith throughout his life and was a long-time member of St. James Lutheran Church, where we was baptized and confirmed and then as a teenager met his future wife through mutual friends at the Luther League youth group. He and Helen went on to be married at St. James and each of their 3 children were baptized and confirmed there. He served on the church council for 40 years – 10 of which he was Treasurer. His favorite hobby was singing and he was an enthusiastic bass for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBQSA) for more than 20 years. Bob also expressed his Christian faith as a proud member of the Frankford Masonic Lodge No. 292 F&AM. Family and friends are invited to Bob's Life Celebration Wednesday, December 27, 2017 beginning 9:00 A.M. from the Chapel of Pauls Run, 9896 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115 and to participate in his Funeral Service at 10:00 A.M. Military Honors to follow. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bob's memory to St. James Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 would be appreciated by the family. (Family Services by Dean/Geitner/Givnish of Fox Chase)